The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially awarded the hosting rights of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations to Egypt, following a dramatic turn of events that saw the original host nation, Ivory Coast, withdraw from the tournament last Tuesday.
The decision, announced on Thursday evening, March 27, 2025, marks a swift response by CAF to ensure the prestigious youth competition remains on track for its scheduled dates later this year.
Ivory Coast’s unexpected withdrawal sent shockwaves through the African football community, with the Ivorian Football Federation citing logistical challenges and unforeseen infrastructural delays as the primary reasons for pulling out.
Sources close to the federation revealed that despite initial preparations, including upgrades to stadiums and training facilities, the nation struggled to meet CAF’s stringent hosting requirements within the agreed timeline.
The decision was reportedly finalized after emergency talks between CAF officials and Ivorian authorities, leaving the confederation scrambling to find a replacement host.
Egypt, who put in bid of the tournament at the bidding entry level, emerged as the frontrunner almost immediately, leveraging its proven track record in hosting major football events. The North African nation previously staged the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with resounding success, earning praise for its world-class facilities, organizational efficiency, and passionate football fanbase.
CAF statement reads:
“The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) today awarded the Egyptian Football Association (“EFA”) and Egyptian Government the rights to host the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
This is subsequent to CAF having been informed by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (“FIF”) and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire that due to unforeseen circumstances, they are unable to host the tournament.
The Egyptian Football Association and the Egyptian Government had previously submitted a bid to host the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
The opening match of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 will be played on Sunday, 27 April 2025 and the Final on 18 May 2025.
The U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, a biennial tournament showcasing the continent’s brightest young football stars, serves as a qualifier for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
With the event’s importance in nurturing future talent, CAF’s quick pivot to Egypt has been met with widespread approval from fans and stakeholders alike. Egyptian Football Association (EFA) officials have already begun mobilizing resources, with Cairo, Alexandria, and Ismailia tipped as likely host cities.
Egypt’s football community is buzzing with excitement. The country’s U-20 team, the Young Pharaohs, will now enjoy home advantage as they aim to reclaim the title they last won in 2013.
